Arizona will likely see lackluster economic growth in the coming year as the hangover from the housing bust continues to dampen the economic recovery, economists presenting at an annual forecast meeting said Wednesday.

An economic researcher says Arizona's economy is expanding at a slow but steady pace with population and employment growth rates that are above most states' rates but below the state's own long-term averages.

The jobless rate fell to 8.2 percent in October, compared to 8.3 percent in the month before, the state’s Office of Employment and Population Statistics reported today. In contrast, the U.S. jobless rate rose – to 7.3 percent from 7.2 ...

Economists who advise Arizona's independent legislative budget analysts said Thursday that residents who have hunkered down through years of tough economic times may finally have reason to be a little more perky this year, but the economy won't meet Gov. Jan Brewer's expectations.

The feds gave Arizona a $2.8 billion crutch to help the state limp through three difficult budget years. But after two years, nearly all of the stimulus money has been spent and the state remains crippled by the recession.

Economists aren't known for being the life of the party, but Elliott Pollack defies the stereotype. The chief economist for Valley National Bank in the 1970s and '80s, and a longtime member of the Legislature's Finance Advisory Committee, Pollack is known for slideshow presentations that feature outlandish photos to drive home the point he is trying to make.